Silents Roar! is the 2nd annual silent film competition for middle and high school students of both Tompkins and Schuyler Counties, happening this Spring 2019. This is an exciting opportunity for young filmmakers to write, direct and produce their own short silent film to be seen by the community.

Presented by Wharton Studio Museum (WSM), a local nonprofit committed to preserving and celebrating Ithaca’s role in early American filmmaking, the competition will require entrants to produce and submit a silent film, three minutes in length and in a genre of their choosing. The films will be screened for the public at Ithaca College and prizes will be awarded by a jury panel at that time.

Competitors have the chance to receive gift cards, trophies, and have their films screened at the Seneca Film Festival. Additionally, winners of the Silents Roar! Best Overall Film will have the opportunity to give back to their school’s technology department via funding.

Conceived of by Ithaca High School Senior Fiona Okumu, who is currently a sophomore at Ithaca College, Silents Roar! gives local youth a forum in which they can explore their interest in film as an art form or career, and create works that explore themes relevant to them. WSM is proud to be part of this arts and education initiative that is inspired by the Whartons’ creative and entrepreneurial spirit.

No prior filmmaking experience is required!

For clarification on our rules and regulations or just to say hello check out our website: https://silentsroarfilmfestival.wordpress.com!

Awards and Prizes to be announced

YOU MUST REGISTER YOURSELF AND/OR YOUR TEAM BEFORE YOU CAN SUBMIT A FILM. HEAD TO OUR WEBSITE https://silentsroarfilmfestival.wordpress.com TO DO SO!

Students must be currently enrolled in a Middle or High School located in the Southern Tier.

All films must be silent

All films must be in black & white

All films must be 3 minutes in length

Films can be any genre (see below) or a mixture of two genres

Films can be animated

Soundtracks are optional

One title card is required

Films must include credits

FILMS MUST ADHERE TO ONE OR MORE OF THE FOLLOWING GENRES:

Action/Adventure: Your film has a high stakes narrative meant to keep the audience at the edge of their seat.

Comedy: Your film makes you and the audience laugh!

Crime/Mystery/Film Noir: Detectives, criminals, and conspiracies, your film is about catching the bad guy.

Drama: Your film tells a more serious story.

Romance: Your film features love and affection, requited or otherwise, and will evoke tender feelings in the audience.

Science Fiction: Your film takes place in a mind-bending version of our world.

Western: Cowboys, horses, and the wondrous adventures of the Ol’ Wild West.